Aerosol valve cup and safety collar

ABSTRACT

A valve cup device for pressurized dispensing containers comprising a one-piece molded plastic body formed with a valve retaining portion for supporting a dispensing valve assembly, a container mounting collar for securing the body to a container, and a closure portion extending between the collar and valve retaining portion. The closure portion is of dished configuration such that axial pressure on the lower surface of the closure portion will produce a radially outward component of force at the juncture between the closure portion and collar to increase the pressure between the collar and the container. Safety cap adapting means is integrally formed on the body for engagement with a complementary safety cap to removably secure the safety cap to the body. The safety cap adapting means comprises a plurality of container locking elements of the type that are adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from complementary locking elements on a safety cap by an axial motion followed successively by a rotative motion, and resilient biasing means for biasing the safety cap locking elements toward locked engagement with the container locking elements.

United States Patent 1 91 June 25, 1974 Birrell AEROSOL VALVE CUP AND SAFETY COLLAR [75] Inventor: Stewart Hector Birrell, Clarkson,

Mississauga, Ontario, Canada [73] Assignee: Reflex Corporation of Canada Limited, Windsor, Ontario, Canada [22] Filed: May 12, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 254,334

[52] 11.8. C1. 222/182, 215/9 [51] Int. Cl B6711 5/36 [58] Field ofSearch ..2l5/9,41,49; ZZZ/182, 222/402.l, 402.11, 402.12, 402.24, 1 53, 222/183, 570; 220/60, 39, 27, 85 P [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,912,173 11/1959 Edwards 222/402.24 X 2,957,611 10/1960 Sagarin 2 22 40324 3,133,680 5/1964 Sliwinski ZZZ/402.11 3,349,969 10/1967 Velt 222/182 X' 3,371,825 3/1968 Cullen ZZZ/402.24 X 3,445,022 5/1969 Cilluff0.... 215/44 X 3,451,576 6/1969 Lewis 215/9 3,463,341 8/1969 Fields 220/27 3,527,388 /1920 Cooprider.... 222/193 3,567,057 3/1971 Landen ..l 215/9 3,655,100 4/1972 Markowltz 222/182 3,706,401 12/1972 222/153 R26,831 3/1970 Treanor 215/9 Primary ExaminerStanley H. Tollberg Assistant Examiner-Norman L. Stack, Jr.

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Reising, Ethington & Perry Owen E. Perry, Stanley C. Thorpe I 57] ABSTRACT A valve cup device for pressurized dispensing containers comprising a one-piece molded plastic body formed with a valve retaining portion for supporting a dispensing valve assembly, a container mounting collar for securing the body to a container, and a closure portion extending between the collar and valve retaining portion. The closure portion is of dished configuration such that axial pressure on the lower surface of the closure portion will produce a radially outward component of force at the juncture between the closure portion and collar to increase the pressure between the collar and the container. Safety cap adapting means is integrally formed on the body for engagement with a complementary safety cap to removably secure the safety cap to the body. The safety cap adapting means comprises a plurality of container locking elements of the type that are adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from complementary locking elements on a safety cap by an axial motion followed successively by a rotative motion, and resilient biasing means for biasing the safety cap locking elements toward locked engagement with the container locking elements.

23 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 11 AEROSOL VALVE CUP A SAFETY COLL This invention relates generally to child-proof safety closures and container assemblies, and is particularly concerned with a valve cup and safety collar for pressurized dispensing containers commonly referred to as aerosol containers, wherein a child-proof safety cap can be removably secured to the container.

Many substances that are potentially dangerous to young children are stored and sold in pressurized containers, commonly referred to as aerosol containers, wherein the contents of the container may be dispensed in a fine spray through a valve attached to the container. Such substances include paint, household chemicals, cosmetics, insecticides, and the like. Aerosol containers are intended to refer to herein as dispensing containers of the type in which the contents are dispensed through a valve by means of a pressurizing agent such as carbon dioxide. By pressing the valve toward the container, or otherwise manipulating the valve, the contents of the container are sprayed through the valve due to the pressurization of the container.

Much attention has recently been generated to the alarming increase in accidental poisonings resulting from young children having access to unsafe substances. Consequently, there is a recognized need for child-proof safety packaging for such potentially dangerous substances. Examples of prior art apparatus in this field are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,430,796; 3,460,707; 3,482,723 and 3,514,011.

To fulfill the criteria of a child-proof safety package or closure assembly, the closure assembly must be constructed in such a manner that the type of manipulation required to gain access to the contents of the container is one that a young child is incapable of performing. For example, it has been found that most small children are capable of unscrewing a conventional screw cap from a container to gain access to its contents. However, it has also been found that young children are generally incapable of manipulating a cap that is mounted on a container in sucha manner that the cap must be pushed axially relative to the container and then rotated relative to the container in order to remove the cap from the container.

Hedgewick U.S. Pat. No. 3,344,942 discloses a safety cap and container wherein a plurality of container locking elements are spaced peripherally from each other on the outer wall of the container for engagement with complementary locking elements on the inner wall of the peripheral skirt projecting axially from the end wall of the cap. The cap and container locking elements are of the type wherein the cap must be engaged with and disengaged from the container by combined axial and rotative motion of the cap relative to the container. When the cap is mounted on the container, the cap locking elements are biased against disengagement from the container locking elements by a spring member in the form of an integral annular web formed on the cap. Examples of other prior art child-proof safety packages wherein a particular type of manipulation is required to remove a cap from a container are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,497,096; 3,572,532; 3,578,192; 3,595,427; and 3,610,475.

The co-pending U.S. application Ser. No; 250,720 of Stewart H. Birrell, filed May 5, 1972, entitled Child- Proof Closure Assembly, and assigned to the assignee of this invention, which application is a continuationin-part of U.S. application, Ser. No. 158,823 filed July 1, 1971, discloses a child-proof closure assembly particularly suitable for aerosol containers. The childproof closure assemblies of the latter referred to applications include a safety cap adapter having a container mounting collar for securing the adapter to existing conventional aerosol containers. The adapter includes a container locking portion carried by the collar with a plurality of container locking elements spaced peripherally from each other on the container locking portion, the container locking elements being of the type that are adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from complementary locking elements on a safety cap by an axial motion followed successively by a rotative motion. The adapter is formed with resilient biasing means for biasing the safety cap toward locked engagement with the adapter. When the adapter is secured to the rim of an aerosol container, the container is adapted to receive a safety cap of the type that, when mounted on the container, must be pushed axially toward the container against a biasing force and then rotated relative to the container before it can be removed from the container and thereby permit the valve to be actuated to dispense the contents of the container.

An object of this invention is to provide a combined valve cup and safety collar device that will close the discharge end of the aerosol container and support the dispensing valve, and which is formed with safety cap adapting means so that a child-proof safety cap requiring the type of manipulation that a young child is incapable of performing can be removably secured to the container.

A further object is to provide a valve cup and safety collar device that can be snap-fitted onto a rim at the discharge end of an aerosol container to provide a sealed closure for the container, and which can support the dispensing valve for the container, and which is also formed with safety cap adapting means to permit a safety cap to be removably secured to the container of the type that must be manipulated in such a manner that a young child is incapable of removing the cap from the container.

A further object is to provide a valve cup and dispensing valve assembly for aerosol containers that can be snap-fitted onto the discharge end of the container to close the container and adapt the container to receive a child-proof safety cap of the type that must be manipulated in such a manner that a young child is incapable of removing the cap from the container to gain access to the dispensing valve.

A still further object is to provide a pressurized aerosol dispensing package including a container having a discharge end with an annular rim formed thereon and a one-piece, molded plastic valve cup body mounted on the discharge end of the container and closing the container, the valve cup body supporting the dispensing valve of the container and also being formed with safety cap adapting means for receiving a complementary safety cap of the type that can only be removed by a type of manipulation that a young child is incapable of performing.

In carrying out the foregoing, and other objects, a

. valve cup device according to the present invention includes a one-piece, molded plastic body formed with a valve retaining portion for supporting a dispensing valve assembly, a container mounting collar surrounding the valve retaining portion and having a top surface for overlying the container rim, and a closure portion extending between the collar and valve retaining portion. The closure portion is of dished configuration such that the central portion thereof is spaced further from the top surface of the collar than the juncture between the closure portion and the collar so that axial pressure from the interior of the container will produce a radially outward component of force at the juncture between the closure portion and the collar. Safety cap adapting means is integrally formed on the body for adapting the body to be engaged by a complementary safety cap to removably secure the safety cap to the body.

The safety cap adapting means is preferably of the type that can be engaged with and disengaged from a complementary safety cap only by an axial motion followed successively by a rotative motion of the cap relative to the molded plastic body. Accordingly, the safety cap adapting means comprises a plurality of container locking elements of the type that are adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from complementary locking elements on a safety cap with which the safety cap adapting means is adapted to be used by an axial motion followed successively by a rotative motion. The complementary safety cap to be used with the valve cup body includes an end wall or base, a peripheral skirt projecting from the end wall for receiving the collar of the molded plastic body, and a plurality of cap locking elements spaced peripherally from each other on the inner surface of the skirt for complementary engagement with the container locking elements. Biasing means is engageable between the cap and molded plastic body for biasing the cap locking elements toward locked engagement with the container locking elements.

The biasing means must include a resilient flexible member on either the cap or the molded plastic valve cup body. Since high strength material is required for the valve cup device of the type that is suitable to provide a resilient flexible member, economy dictates that the resilient biasing means he formed on the valve cup body with the cap being formed of less expensive plastic material. Consequently, in the illustrated preferred embodiment of the present invention, the valve cup body is formed with resilient biasing means, and the safety cap is formed with a plunger element for engaging the resilient biasing means so that the plunger and resilient means constitute biasing means between the cap and valve cup body for urging the cap locking elements toward locked engagement with the container locking elements.

In accordance with the illustrated preferred embodiment of the present invention, the biasing means comprises integral spring means projecting radially from the collar of the valve cup body, and, more specifically, comprises a plurality of peripherally spaced flanges projecting outwardly from the collar. The biasing means may be of other constructions or types, including any of the types disclosed in the above-mentioned co-pending application, Ser. No. 250,720.

The container mounting collar of the valve cup body is formed with an annular groove, and at least one wall of the groove is formed with a bead or lip projecting radially toward the other wall for snap-fitting the collar onto the container rim. The valve retaining portion of the valve cup body includes an opening in the closure portion, a cylindrical wall surrounding the opening and projecting from the upper surface of the closure portion, and a radially inwardly projecting valve retaining bead or lip formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical wall for snap-fit engagement with the dispensing valve assembly.

, The dispensing valve assembly includes a valve having a stem with an enlarged head portion, the head portion being received in the cylindrical wall between the end wall thereof and the valve retaining head. The valve actuator portion projects through the opening in the end wall of the cylindrical portion, and the stem of the valve assembly projects into the container for removing the contents of the container as desired upon actuation of the valve.

The valve cup body with the dispensing valve assembly attached thereto may be snap-fitted onto the rim of the aerosol container, the pressure in the container against the lower dished surface of the closure portion of the valve cup body producing radially outward components of force at the juncture between the closure portion and collar to increase the grip of the collar on the rim of the container.

The invention is thus embodied in (l) a valve cup device comprising a one-piece, molded plastic body that can be mounted on an aerosol or like container for supporting the dispensing valve thereof and closing the discharge end of the container and having safety cap adapting means formed thereon, (2) the assembly of the one-piece, molded plastic valve cup body and the dispensing valve attached thereto, (3) a safety package including an aerosol container and the assembly of the one-piece, molded plastic valve cup body and dispensing valve attached thereto closing the end of the container, and (4) a safety package including an aerosol container with the assembly of the one-piece, molded plastic valve cup body and dispensing valve attached thereto closing the end of the container, and a safety cap mounted on the container for cooperating with the safety cap adapting means of the valve cup body.

Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a child-proof safety package embodying the present invention and including an aerosol container, a valve cup device and safety collar closing the discharge end of the container and supporting the'dispensing valve, and a safety cap mounted thereon;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating the safety cap in a different position; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the valve cup device shown in the safety package of FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the drawings, reference numeral 2 collectively designates a child-proof aerosol dispensing package including a container 4 having a domed discharge end 6 tenninating in an annular rim 8 formed by rolling the metal at the edge of the discharge end 6 outwardly and downwardly in a conventional manner. The opening at the discharge end of the container is closed by a valve cup device consisting of a one-pice, molded plastic body 10 formed one-piece, an annular container mounting collar 12, a valve retaining portion 14 surrounded by the collar l2, and a closure portion 16 extending from the periphery of the collar 12 to the valve retaining portion 14. A dispensing valve assembly 11 is supported by the valve retaining portion 14. A safety cap 13 is removably mounted on the valve cup body for cooperating with safety cap adapting means formed on the valve cup body 10.

The container mounting collar 12 of the valve cup body 10 is formed with an annular groove 18 for receiving the container rim 8. The walls of the annular groove 18 are formed with radially projecting beads or lips 20 and 22 so that the valve cup body 10 can be snap-fitted onto the rim 8. The bead 20 on the outer annular surface of the groove 18 projects toward the inner annular surface of the groove 18, and the bead 22 on the inner annular surface of the groove 18 projects toward the outer annular surface. The closure portion 16 is of dished configuration such that the central portion thereof projects into the container wherein pressure in the container acting on the lower surface of the closure portion 16 will produce radially outwardly directed components of force at the juncture between the closure portion 16 and the collar 12 to increase the grip of the collar 12 on the container rim 8. Stated another way, the pressure inside the container would tend to urge the central portion of the closure portion 16 at the valve retaining portion 14 upwardly to in turn cause the closure portion 16 to push radially outwardly on the collar 12.

The valve retaining portion 14 of the valve cup body 10 includes an opening in the central portion of the closure portion 16, a cylindrical wall 24 surrounding the opening and projecting from the upper surface of the closure portion 16, and a radially inwardly projecting valve retaining head or lip 26 formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 24. An end wall 28 projects radially inwardly from the end of the cylindrical wall 24 remote from the closure portion 16. The end wall 28 is formed with a central aperture 29.

The container mounting collar 12 of the valve cup body 10 is formed with a top surface 36, an outer cylindrical surface 32, and an inner cylindrical surface 34. The closure portion 16 extends from the lower end of the inner cylindrical surface 34 to its juncture with the cylindrical wall 24 of the valve retaining portion 14.

The valve cup body 10 is formed with safety cap adapting means adapted to be engaged by the safety cap 13 to removably secure the safety cap 13 to the body 10. The safety cap adapting means includes a plurality of container locking elements 38 of the type that are adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from complementary locking elements on the safety cap by an axial motion of the safety cap followed successively by a rotative motion with respect to the body 10. The safety cap adapting means further includes resilient biasing means 44 for biasing the safety cap toward locked engagement with the container locking elements 38.

The container locking elements 38 are spaced peripherally from each other and project from the outer cylindrical surface 32 of the collar 12. The container locking elements 38 may be of the type shown in Hedgewick US. Pat. No. 3,344,942, and each comprises a radially outwardly extending projection on the outer cylindrical surface 32 of the collar 12. Each of the container locking elements 38 includes a notch 46 formed between a stop portion 42 and a cam portion 36. The resilient biasing means 44 comprises a plurality of peripherally spaced spring flanges 44 projecting outwardly from the outer cylindrical surface 32 of the collar 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the container locking elements 38 are each located between an adjacent pair of the spring flanges 44.

Before fitting the valve cup body 10 onto the container rim 8, a plastisol sealing gasket 46 may be disposed in the groove 18 against the upper annular surface thereof.

The dispensing valve assembly 11 may be of conventional construction, and in the illustrated embodiment, includes a stem 50 which projects into the contents of the container 4, an enlarged head portion 52 formed on the stem 56, and a valve actuator 54. By pressing the valve actuator 54 toward the closure portion 16, the contents of the container 2 are caused to spray through an opening in the actuator 56 due to pressurization of the contents of the container 4. A washer 56 is interposed between the head portion 52 and the end wall 28 of the valve retaining portion 14. The head portion 52 is snap-fitted into the retaining portion 14 with the bead 26 cooperating with the end wall 28 for securing the head portion 52 against axial withdrawal from the retaining portion 16.

The safety cap 13 includes an end wall 58, a peripheral skirt 60 projecting from the end wall for receiving the collar 12, and a plurality of cap locking elements 62 spaced peripherally from each other on the inner surface of the skirt 60. The cap locking elements 62 are in the form of inwardly projecting lugs cooperable with the notches 40 of the container locking elements 38.

The skirt of the cap 13 is formed with a radially outwardly extending portion 64 and a depending lower skirt portion 66 extending from the periphery of the radially extending portion 64. The cap locking elements 62 project from the inner surface of a plunger portion 63 of the skirt 60 which depends below the radially extending portion 64. Thus, the portion 63 of the skirt 60 constitutes cap biasing means for cooperation with the container biasing means 44.

Axial motion of the cap 13 toward the container is limited by engagement of the lower end of the skirt portion 66 with an annular groove formed at the lower end of the domed discharge end 6 of the container. Consequently, the end wall 58 of the cap does not depress the valve 54 when the cap is pushed axially toward the container to withdraw the cap locking elements 62 from the notches 40 of the container locking elements 38.

When the cap 113 is placed on the container, the cap locking elements 62 are first aligned with the spaces between the container locking elements 38. The lower edge of the plunger portion 63 of skirt 60 engages the spring flanges 44. The cap is then rotated until the cap locking elements 62 engage the cam portion 36 of the container locking elements 38. Further rotation of the cap causes the cap locking'elements 62 locking elements 62 become aligned with the respective notches 40. The spring flanges 44, engaging the lower edge of the skirt portion 63, bias the cap locking elements 62 upwardly to be received in the notches 40.

When the cap locking elements 62 are received in the notches 40 as shown in FIG. 1, the cap cannot be rotated relative to the container due to the engagement of the notches 40 with the stop portion 42 and the edge of the cam portion 36. The cap must be pushed axially against the biasing force of the spring flanges 44 before it can be rotated in a direction to disengage the cap locking elements from the container locking elements 38 and permit removal of the cap from the container.

The valve cup body is made of molded plastic material, and by plastic is meant organic polymeric material. The valve cup body 10 may, for example, be formed of an acetal resin of composition (-OCl-l )n derived by polymerization of formaldehyde and sold under the trademark DELRIN. The cap 13 may be composed of polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene and other plastics. The cap 13 may, of course, also be composed of DELRIN.

The invention is thus embodied in a safety package including a container 4 having a discharge end 6 with a container rim 8; a one-piece, molded plastic valve cup body 10 closing the discharge end of the container and supporting a dispensing valve for the container; a plurality of container locking elements formed on said valve cup body; a safety cap having an end wall 58, a peripheral skirt 60 projecting from the end wall 58 for receiving the valve cup body, and a plurality of cap locking elements 62 spaced peripherally from each other on the inner surface of the skirt 60, said cap locking elements being engageable with and disengageable from the container locking elements 38 by an axial motion followed successively by a rotative motion of the cap relative to the valve cup body; and biasing means engageable between the cap and valve cup body for biasing the cap locking elements 62 toward locked engagement with the container locking elements 38. The biasing means includes a cap biasing element 63 and a container biasing element 44, the cap biasing element 63 being in the form of a plunger portion formed at the lower end of the skirt 60, the container biasing element 44 being in the form of outwardly projecting spring flanges 44 formed on the valve cup body 10. to ride down the surface of the cam portion 36 until the cap locking elements 62 become Under extremely high pressure conditions, an annular groove may be formed in the inner cylindrical surface 34 of the collar 12 for receiving a snap ring to further secure the collar to the rim 8.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing specification, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact construction shown. Alterations in the construction and arrangement of parts, all falling within the scope and spirit of the invention, will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A valve cup device for pressurized dispensing containers comprising: a one-piece, molded plastic body; an annular containermounting collar formed on said body for securing said body to a container, said collar having inner and outer cylindrical side surfaces and a top surface for overlying a container rim, said collar being formed with an annular groove between said inner and outer side surfaces for receiving a container rim; a closure portion formed on said body, said closure portion having an outer peripheral edge joined to said inner side surface of said collar, said closure portion being of dished configuration such that the central portion thereof is spaced from said top surface of said collar a greater distance than said outer peripheral edge thereof; a valve retaining portion formed on said body for supporting a dispensing valve assembly, said valve retaining portion including a central opening in said closure portion and a cylindrical wall projecting from said closure portion and surrounding said opening; and safety cap adapting means on said body for adapting said body to be engaged by a complementary safety cap to removably secure said safety cap adapting means including a central opening in said closure portion and a cylindrical wall projecting from said closure portion and surrounding said opening; and safety cap adapting means on said body for adapting said body to be engaged by a complementary safety cap to removably secure said safety cap adapting means including a plurality of spaced container locking elements on said outer side surface of the type that are adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from complementary locking elements on a safety cap by an axial motion followed successively by a rotative motion, and resilient biasing means formed integrally on said body and projecting radially therefrom for biasing such safety cap toward locked engagement with said body.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said resilient biasing means comprises a plurality of peripherally spaced flanges projecting outwardly from said outer surface of said collar.

3. A valve cup device for pressurized dispensing containers comprising: a one-piece molded plastic body; a valve retaining portion formed on said body for supporting a dispensing valve assembly; a container mounting collar formed on said body for securing said body to a container, said collar surrounding said valve retaining portion and having a top surface for overlying a container rim; a closure portion formed on said body and extending between said collar and said valve retaining portion, said closure portion being of dished configuration such that the central portion thereof is spaced further from the top surface of said collar than the juncture between said closure portion and said collar such that axial pressure on the lower surface of said closure portion opposite said top surface will produce a radially outward component of force at the juncture between said closure portion and said collar; and safety cap adapting means integrally formed on said body adapted to be engaged by a complementary safety cap to removably secure the safety cap to said body, said safety cap adapting means comprising a plurality of container locking elements of the type that are adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from complementary locking elements on a safety cap with which the safety cap adapting means is adapted to be used by an axial motion followed successively by a rotative motion, said safety cap adapting means further comprising integral spring means projecting from said body for biasing the safety cap adapted to be used with the safety cap adapting means toward locked engagement therewith.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said collar is formed with an annular groove, at least one wall of said groove being formed with a bead projecting radially toward the other wall for snap-fitting said collar onto a container rim.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said valve retaining portion includes an opening in said closure portion, a cylindrical wall surrounding said opening and projecting from the upper surface of said closure portion, and a radially inwardly projecting valve retaining bead formed on the inner surface of said cylindrical wall.

6. A device as claimed in claim wherein said valve retaining portion further includes an end wall projecting radially from the end of said cylindrical wall remote from said closure portion.

7. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said container mounting collar includes an outer cylindrical surface and said container locking elements are spaced peripherally from each other and project from said outer cylindrical surface.

8. A device as claimed in claim '7 wherein said spring means projects radially outwardly from said collar.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said spring means comprises a plurality of peripherally spaced flanges projecting outwardly from said outer cylindrical surface of said collar.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said collar is formed with an annular groove, at least one wall of said groove being formed with a bead projecting radially toward the other wall for snapfitting said collar onto a container rim.

11. A device as claimed in claim Ml wherein said closure portion is inclined away from its juncture with said collar toward its juncture with said valve retaining portion such that axial pressure on the lower surface of said closure portion opposite said collar will produce a radially outward component of force at the juncture between said closure portion and said collar.

12. A device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said valve retaining portion includes an opening in said closure portion, a cylindrical wall surrounding said opening and projecting from the upper surface of said closure portion, and a radially inwardly projecting valve retaining bead formed on the inner surface of said cylindrical wall.

13. A device as claimed in claim 12 wherein said valve retaining portion further includes an end wall projecting radially from the end of said cylindrical wall remote from said closure portion.

14. A valve cup and dispensing valve assembly for pressurized containers comprising: a one-piece molded plastic body; an annular container mounting collar formed on said body for securing said body to a container, said collar having a top surface; a valve retaining portion formed on said body and surrounded by said collar; a dispensing valve supported by said valve retaining portion; a closure portion formed on said body and extending from the periphery of said collar to the periphery of said valve retaining portion, said closure portion being of dished configuration such that the central portion thereof is spaced further from the top surface of said collar than its juncture with said collar whereby pressure on the surface of said closure portion opposite said top surface will produce radially outward forces at the juncture between said closure portion and said collar; and safety cap adapting means formed on said collar for adapting said body to be engaged by a complementary safety cap to removably secure the safety cap to said body; said safety cap adapting means comprising a plurality of container locking elements of the type that are adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from complementary elements on a safety cap with which the safety cap adapting means is adapted to be used by an axial motion followed successively by a rotative motion, and integral spring means projecting radially from said body for biasing a-safety cap adapted to be used with the safety cap adapting means toward locked engagement therewith.

15;. An assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein said collar is fonned with an annular groove for receiving a container rim, said groove having spaced cylindrical side surfaces, and a bead formed on at least one of said side surfaces and projecting toward the other of said surfaces.

116. An assembly as claimedin claim wherein said valve retaining portion comprises a central opening formed in said closure portion; a cylindrical wall projecting axially from the juncture of said opening with said closure portion, a transverse end wall formed on the end of said cylindrical wall remote from said closure portion, and a radially inwardly projecting bead on the inner surface of said cylindrical wall; said valve having a stem with an enlarged head portion, said head portion being received in said cylindrical wall between said end wall and said bead.

17. An assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein said container mounting collar includes an outer cylindrical surface and said container locking elements are spaced peripherally from each other and project from said outer cylindrical surface.

18. A pressurized dispensing package comprising: a container having a discharge end with an annular rim fonned thereon; a one-piece molded plastic body mounted on said discharge end of said container; an annular container mounting collar formed on said body and secured to said annular rim; a valve retaining portion formed on said body and surrounded by said collar; a dispensing valve supported by said valve retaining portion, said valve including a stern portion projecting beneath said body into said container and an actuator portion projecting above said body externally of said container; a closure portion formed on said body and extending from the periphery of said collar to the periphery of said valve retaining portion, said closure portion being of dished configuration such that the central portion thereof projects into said container whereby pressure in said container will produce radially outward forces at the juncture between said closure portion and said collar; and safety cap adapting means formed on said collar for adapting said body to be engaged by a complementary safety cap to removably secure the safety cap to said body; said safety cap adapting means comprising a plurality of container locking elements of the type that are adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from complementary locking elements on a safety cap with which the safety cap adapting means is adapted to be used by an axial motion followed successively by a rotative motion, and integral spring means on said body for biasing a safety cap adapted to be used with the safety cap adapting means toward locked engagement therewith.

19. A package as claimed in claim 1% wherein said collar is formed with an annular groove for receiving said container rim, said rim having an enlarged crosssection with respect to the adjacent side wall of the container, said groove being formed with at least one radially extending bead underlying said rim.

20. A package as claimed in claim 19 wherein said valve retaining portion comprises a central opening formed in said closure portion; a cylindrical wall projecting axially from the juncture of said opening with said closure portion, a transverse end wall formed on the end of said cylindrical wall remote from said closure portion, and a radially inwardly projecting head on the inner surface of said cylindrical wall; a said valve having a stem with an enlarged head portion, said head portion being received in said cylindrical wall between said end wall and said bead.

21. A package as claimed in claim 18 wherein said container mounting collar includes an outer cylindrical surface and said container locking elements are spaced peripherally from each other and project from said outer cylindrical surface.

22. A package as claimed in claim 21 further including a safety cap having an end wall, a peripheral skirt projecting from said end wall for receiving said collar, a plurality of cap locking elements spaced peripherally from each other on the inner surface of said skirt, said cap locking elements being engageable with and disengageable from said container locking elements by an axial motion followed successively by a rotative motion of the cap relative to said collar; and means on said cap for engaging said spring means.

23. A safety package comprising: a container having a discharge end with a rim formed thereon; a one- 12 piece, molded plastic valve cup body closing the discharge end of the container; a dispensing valve supported by said valve cup body; a plurality of container locking elements formed on said valve cup body; a safety cap having an end wall, a peripheral skirt projecting from said end wall for receiving said valve cup body, and a plurality of cap locking elements spaced peripherally from each other on the inner surface of said skirt, said cap locking elements being engageable with and disengageable from said container locking elements by an axial motion followed successively by a rotative motion of said cap relative to said valve cup body; and biasing means engageable between said cap and valve cup body for biasing said cap locking elements toward locked engagement with said container locking elements, said biasing means comprising integral spring means projecting from said valve cup body, and a plunger portion on said cap engaged with said spring means.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,819,090 Dated Line 25 1 Inventor(s) Stewart irrell It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, line 65, delete "one-piece," and insert --with--. Column 6, line 55, after '62" insert --to ride down the surface of the cam portion 36 until the cap--. Column 7, line 35, after "10s delete "to ride down the surface of the cam portion 36 until the cap locking elements 62 become". Column 8, line 6, after "eluding" delete "a central opening in said closure portion and a cylindrical wall projecting from said closure portion and surrounding said-opening; and safety cap adapting means on said body for adapting said body to be engaged by a complementary safety cap to removably secure said safety cap adapting means including".

Signed and sealed this 17th day of September 1974,

(SEAL) Attest:

GIBSON JR. C. VARSILXLL DANN CO r MC Y M Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer FORM PO-l050 (10-69) 

1. A valve cup device for pressurized dispensing containers comprising: a one-piece, molded plastic body; an annular container mounting collar formed on said body for securing said body to a container, said collar having inner and outer cylindrical side surfaces and a top surface for overlying a container rim, said collar being formed with an annular groove between said inner and outer side surfaces for receiving a container rim; a closure portion formed on said body, said closure portion having an outer peripheral edge joined to said inner side surface of said collar, said closure portion being of dished configuration such that the central portion thereof is spaced from said top surface of said collar a greater distance than said outer peripheral edge thereof; a valve retaining portion formed on said body for supporting a dispensing valve assembly, said valve retaining portion including a central opening in said closure portion and a cylindrical wall projecting from said closure portion and surrounding said opening; and safety cap adapting means on said body for adapting said body to be engaged by a complementary safety cap to removably secure said safety cap adapting means including a central opening in said closure portion and a cylindrical wall projecting from said closure portion and surrounding said opening; and safety cap adapting means on said body for adapting said body to be engaged by a complementary safety cap to removably secure said safety cap adapting means including a plurality of spaced container locking elements on said outer side surface of the type that are adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from complementary locking elements on a safety cap by an axial motion followed successively by a rotative motion, and resilient biasing means formed integrally on said body and projecting radially therefrom for biasing such safety cap toward locked engagement with said body.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said resilient biasing means comprises a plurality of peripherally spaced flanges projecting outwardly from said outer surface of said collar.
 3. A valve cup device for pressurized dispensing containers comprising: a one-piece molded plastic body; a valve retaining portion formed on said body for supporting a dispensing valve assembly; a container mounting collar formed on said body for securing said body to a container, said collar surrounding said valve retaining portion and having a top surface for overlying a container rim; a closure portion formed on said body and extending between said collar and said valve retaining portion, said closure portion being of dished configuration such that the centrAl portion thereof is spaced further from the top surface of said collar than the juncture between said closure portion and said collar such that axial pressure on the lower surface of said closure portion opposite said top surface will produce a radially outward component of force at the juncture between said closure portion and said collar; and safety cap adapting means integrally formed on said body adapted to be engaged by a complementary safety cap to removably secure the safety cap to said body, said safety cap adapting means comprising a plurality of container locking elements of the type that are adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from complementary locking elements on a safety cap with which the safety cap adapting means is adapted to be used by an axial motion followed successively by a rotative motion, said safety cap adapting means further comprising integral spring means projecting from said body for biasing the safety cap adapted to be used with the safety cap adapting means toward locked engagement therewith.
 4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said collar is formed with an annular groove, at least one wall of said groove being formed with a bead projecting radially toward the other wall for snap-fitting said collar onto a container rim.
 5. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said valve retaining portion includes an opening in said closure portion, a cylindrical wall surrounding said opening and projecting from the upper surface of said closure portion, and a radially inwardly projecting valve retaining bead formed on the inner surface of said cylindrical wall.
 6. A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said valve retaining portion further includes an end wall projecting radially from the end of said cylindrical wall remote from said closure portion.
 7. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said container mounting collar includes an outer cylindrical surface and said container locking elements are spaced peripherally from each other and project from said outer cylindrical surface.
 8. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said spring means projects radially outwardly from said collar.
 9. A device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said spring means comprises a plurality of peripherally spaced flanges projecting outwardly from said outer cylindrical surface of said collar.
 10. A device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said collar is formed with an annular groove, at least one wall of said groove being formed with a bead projecting radially toward the other wall for snap-fitting said collar onto a container rim.
 11. A device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said closure portion is inclined away from its juncture with said collar toward its juncture with said valve retaining portion such that axial pressure on the lower surface of said closure portion opposite said collar will produce a radially outward component of force at the juncture between said closure portion and said collar.
 12. A device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said valve retaining portion includes an opening in said closure portion, a cylindrical wall surrounding said opening and projecting from the upper surface of said closure portion, and a radially inwardly projecting valve retaining bead formed on the inner surface of said cylindrical wall.
 13. A device as claimed in claim 12 wherein said valve retaining portion further includes an end wall projecting radially from the end of said cylindrical wall remote from said closure portion.
 14. A valve cup and dispensing valve assembly for pressurized containers comprising: a one-piece molded plastic body; an annular container mounting collar formed on said body for securing said body to a container, said collar having a top surface; a valve retaining portion formed on said body and surrounded by said collar; a dispensing valve supported by said valve retaining portion; a closure portion formed on said body and extending from the periphery of said collar to the periphery of said valve retaining portion, said closuRe portion being of dished configuration such that the central portion thereof is spaced further from the top surface of said collar than its juncture with said collar whereby pressure on the surface of said closure portion opposite said top surface will produce radially outward forces at the juncture between said closure portion and said collar; and safety cap adapting means formed on said collar for adapting said body to be engaged by a complementary safety cap to removably secure the safety cap to said body; said safety cap adapting means comprising a plurality of container locking elements of the type that are adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from complementary elements on a safety cap with which the safety cap adapting means is adapted to be used by an axial motion followed successively by a rotative motion, and integral spring means projecting radially from said body for biasing a safety cap adapted to be used with the safety cap adapting means toward locked engagement therewith.
 15. An assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein said collar is formed with an annular groove for receiving a container rim, said groove having spaced cylindrical side surfaces, and a bead formed on at least one of said side surfaces and projecting toward the other of said surfaces.
 16. An assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein said valve retaining portion comprises a central opening formed in said closure portion; a cylindrical wall projecting axially from the juncture of said opening with said closure portion, a transverse end wall formed on the end of said cylindrical wall remote from said closure portion, and a radially inwardly projecting bead on the inner surface of said cylindrical wall; said valve having a stem with an enlarged head portion, said head portion being received in said cylindrical wall between said end wall and said bead.
 17. An assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein said container mounting collar includes an outer cylindrical surface and said container locking elements are spaced peripherally from each other and project from said outer cylindrical surface.
 18. A pressurized dispensing package comprising: a container having a discharge end with an annular rim formed thereon; a one-piece molded plastic body mounted on said discharge end of said container; an annular container mounting collar formed on said body and secured to said annular rim; a valve retaining portion formed on said body and surrounded by said collar; a dispensing valve supported by said valve retaining portion, said valve including a stem portion projecting beneath said body into said container and an actuator portion projecting above said body externally of said container; a closure portion formed on said body and extending from the periphery of said collar to the periphery of said valve retaining portion, said closure portion being of dished configuration such that the central portion thereof projects into said container whereby pressure in said container will produce radially outward forces at the juncture between said closure portion and said collar; and safety cap adapting means formed on said collar for adapting said body to be engaged by a complementary safety cap to removably secure the safety cap to said body; said safety cap adapting means comprising a plurality of container locking elements of the type that are adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from complementary locking elements on a safety cap with which the safety cap adapting means is adapted to be used by an axial motion followed successively by a rotative motion, and integral spring means on said body for biasing a safety cap adapted to be used with the safety cap adapting means toward locked engagement therewith.
 19. A package as claimed in claim 18 wherein said collar is formed with an annular groove for receiving said container rim, said rim having an enlarged cross-section with respect to the adjacent side wall of the container, said groove being formed with at least one radially extending bead underlyiNg said rim.
 20. A package as claimed in claim 19 wherein said valve retaining portion comprises a central opening formed in said closure portion; a cylindrical wall projecting axially from the juncture of said opening with said closure portion, a transverse end wall formed on the end of said cylindrical wall remote from said closure portion, and a radially inwardly projecting bead on the inner surface of said cylindrical wall; a said valve having a stem with an enlarged head portion, said head portion being received in said cylindrical wall between said end wall and said bead.
 21. A package as claimed in claim 18 wherein said container mounting collar includes an outer cylindrical surface and said container locking elements are spaced peripherally from each other and project from said outer cylindrical surface.
 22. A package as claimed in claim 21 further including a safety cap having an end wall, a peripheral skirt projecting from said end wall for receiving said collar, a plurality of cap locking elements spaced peripherally from each other on the inner surface of said skirt, said cap locking elements being engageable with and disengageable from said container locking elements by an axial motion followed successively by a rotative motion of the cap relative to said collar; and means on said cap for engaging said spring means.
 23. A safety package comprising: a container having a discharge end with a rim formed thereon; a one-piece, molded plastic valve cup body closing the discharge end of the container; a dispensing valve supported by said valve cup body; a plurality of container locking elements formed on said valve cup body; a safety cap having an end wall, a peripheral skirt projecting from said end wall for receiving said valve cup body, and a plurality of cap locking elements spaced peripherally from each other on the inner surface of said skirt, said cap locking elements being engageable with and disengageable from said container locking elements by an axial motion followed successively by a rotative motion of said cap relative to said valve cup body; and biasing means engageable between said cap and valve cup body for biasing said cap locking elements toward locked engagement with said container locking elements, said biasing means comprising integral spring means projecting from said valve cup body, and a plunger portion on said cap engaged with said spring means. 